The results are in and it appears Donald Trump has successfully claimed victory in Arizona, ringing true his promise of a landslide win in all key states. This crucial win has augmented his collection of 312 electoral votes, reinstating the Grand Canyon State in the Republican tally, not seen since his last term.
Trump’s planned return to the Oval Office after four years has been set for Wednesday, when he’s scheduled to, ironically, be greeted by his political rival, Joe Biden. Interestingly enough, Biden will have to lend an ear to the man whose seat he unsuccessfully attempted to commandeer, in the heart of the White House.
Furthermore, Saturday night was a stage for Trump to announce his firm stance on exclusion of Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo, both previously key figures in his cabinet. A powerful statement that seems to demand merit over connection, a policy that Biden seems to dismiss more often than not.
The roller coaster of US politics doesn’t slow down as we approach the Kremlin’s latest response to Trump’s campaign statements. It seems Trump’s unique brand of diplomacy has tickled Russia’s fancy, with Vladimir Putin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, commending Trump and his strategy of ‘peace through deals’- a refreshingly pragmatic approach, one that is noticeably absent from Biden’s policy repertoire.
A noteworthy divergence from Biden’s tactic of letting Ukrainians dictate peace terms in their country. Trump on the other hand, seems determined to directly influence the cessation of the Russian-Ukrainian war, a hands-on approach laudable to some but scorned by many, particularly the Biden camp.
Simultaneously, the political atmosphere is thick with anticipation for another crucial vote. Upon the resignation of Mitch McConnell as the Republicans’ Senate leader, three senators have stepped up to fill the void.
The forthcoming faceoff between Rick Scott of Florida, John Cornyn of Texas, and John Thune of South Dakota could determine the stature of the Republicans in the Senate, where they already tout a 53 to 47 majority. Whichever victor emerges victorious will effectively steer the Republicans through crucial legislative terrain, as they command the majority in the Senate.
As the new administrations begin to take shape, two potential candidates have risen to the forefront for the role of Secretary of Homeland Security. Both Tom Homan, the former Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency head, and Chad Wolf, the previous acting Department for Homeland Security secretary, have been identified by sources as likely contenders.
Despite having worked under Trump’s administration during his first term, Wolf has unabashedly expressed his eagerness to work under the Republican leader again, even as many ridicule the supposed honor.
As the hustle and bustle of the formation of Trump’s new administration continues, one potential candidate for a top position has caught the public eye. Robert F Kennedy Jr, an environmental lawyer and nephew of ex-President John F Kennedy, who was once at odds with Trump as an independent presidential candidate during the race, seems to have come around.
But the alignment of Kennedy Jr with the Trump administration has raised eyebrows. His skepticism towards Covid vaccines has been a particularly contentious point of discussion, given the purported health department position, adding another layer to the complexity and unconventional nature of Trump’s imminent presidency.
Trump’s imminent policies loom large on the international stage, particularly regarding Ukraine. Russia’s deplorable invasion of Ukraine and illegal seizure of territories presents an arduous challenge for President-elect Trump – one that he promises to tackle head-on with the ultimate goal of peace.
However, influential Republican strategist Bryan Lanza has thrown both optimism and realism into the mix with his recent comments. According to Lanza, President-elect Trump would appreciate a ‘realistic vision for peace’ from President Volodymr Zelensky of Ukraine.
Lanza suggests that should Zelensky insist on the prerequisite of Crimea to peace discussions, he would only be proving his unseriousness about the matter. A further testament to the ruthless practicality that seems to be a hallmark of Trump’s administration – a stark contrast to the seemingly misguided ideologies often touted by Biden and his ilk.